Pipes's Picks: Best of 2017

When driving home from school one recent grey December day Gracie (my daughter- age 9) stated,  "Daddy, you've listened to a lot of sad country songs this year."  She was incredibly on point.  2017 was a year where I gravitated as a fan and listener toward acts that offered more introspective songwriting.  Reading over my picks this year, there is a common theme of reflection and hope that permeates each of the releases on this list.  Hope you enjoy my top 13 album favs of '17 and let me know what some of your favorite music of the year has been.

1. Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett: Lotta Sea Lice
Incredibly clever wordplay and a natural chemistry between two phenomenally gifted songwriters made this one the tops of '17.  Lyrically this album is a blast, and the tenderness between the two "intercontinental friends" comes across both on the record and when I had the pleasure of seeing the songs performed live.  From the quirky juxtapositions on "Blue Cheese" to the laid back trading off of lines and licks on "Over Everything," and everything else in between, Vile and Barnett hit a home run with their debut dual release.

2. Hiss Golden Messenger:  Hallelujah Anyhow
MC Taylor's poetically poignant lyrics have made him one of my favs of recent years.  His soulfully catchy tunes showcase a sense of hope in a time of uncertainty.  Backed by a stellar band which features Eau Claire native Phil Cook, Hiss Golden Messenger has honed their craft both in terms of lyrics and music. This record, Hallelujah Anyhow,  in particular swung for the fences on finding the beauty and joy in simple things around you.  Stand out tracks including "Lost in the Darkness," "Jenny of the Roses," and "Caledonia, My Love" power Taylor's finest work to date.

3. Joseph Huber: The Suffering Stage
Some of the finest music of the year was made right here in our fair city of Milwaukee.  Released in April, Joseph Huber's The Suffering Stage was perhaps my most listened to record of the year, and one that continues to grow on me after each subsequent listen.  It has captivated me as a listener in a way no other record by a local musician has since Field Report's masterful Marigolden dropped in 2015.  Heartfelt, humble, soulful and unapologeticly earnest, Huber tackles the current state of affairs in a way that makes his songs feel like they're being sung by an old friend around a campfire.  Stand outs include the toe tapping, "Playground/Battlefield," the epic wandering "The Suffering Stage," and the yearningly reflective "Souls Without Maps."

4. Strand of Oaks: Hard Love
Timothy Showalter created another stellar heart-felt, reflective, and utterly enjoyable rock 'n roll record on  Hard Love.  The follow up to 2014's outstanding album, HEAL, Hard Love delivers a collection of nine tracks that take the listener on a roller coaster of a ride.  The Strand of Oaks experience is a face melting juggernaut that I had the pleasure of seeing twice live.  Stand out tracks include, "Radio Kids," "Everything," "On A Hill," and what would be my bullpen intro song if I was a relief pitcher for the Brewers in 2017, the rocking "Rest of It."

5. Father John Misty: Pure Comedy
J. Tillman is at his finest on his third release as Father John Misty.  The bombastic "AM Gold" sound reigns supreme on Pure Comedy, perhaps his most ambitious release to date.  "Ballad of a Dying Man," is a new classic FJM anthem.  Tillman varies his songwriting on this record alternating between more shorter form songs as well as some stellar longer numbers like "Leaving LA" which clocks in at over 11 minutes.

6.  Spoon: Hot Thoughts
Spoon has established themselves as one the most consistent rock acts in the past two decades.  "Hot Thoughts" shows Spoon as a constant innovator of a band pushing their sound forward with a plethora of electronic effects and ideas.  "Do You Have To Talk Me Into It," the anthem title track, "Hot Thoughts," and the slacker swagger of "Can I Sit Next To You," cement Hot Thoughts as a stellar Spoon record even given their stellar catalogue

7. Ryan Adams: Prisoner
Ryan Adams's latest release may be his most personal and reflective to date.  A pioneer in ushering in the era of "alt-country" in the late 90's and early 2000's. Adams delivers a masterpiece break-up album on Prisoner.    With tracks like "Do You Still Love Me," "Prisoner," and "Doomsday," Adams solidifies himself as a Jedi Master of writing personally poignant tunes.

8.  The National: Sleep Well Beast
The National are America's voice for melancholy jams with Matt Beringer's superior vocals offering up the tales and imagery of the disenfranchised proletariat.  The National's connection with Justin Vernon and the Eaux Claires festival collaborations is evident in the ways that the band has expanded their sound.  "Day I Die," "The System Only Speaks in Sudden Darkness," and "Nobody Else Where Be There," punctuate the spirit of the record. 

9.  The War On Drugs: A Deeper Understanding
Adam Granduciel delivers another stellar compilation of tracks on A Deeper Understanding.  The follow-up to the outstanding 2014 Lost In A Dream.  The 60+ minute record delivers some sweeping soundscapes including, "Up All Night," "Pain," and album stand out "Clean Living."

10.  Turnpike Troubadours:  A Long Way From Your Heart
"Red Dirt" music went mainstream with Turnpike Troubadours best release to date.  Evan Felker and company released a gem which translates to listeners with some of their best narrative song writing to date.  Felker's raw emotion brings listeners into the intimate surroundings of his songs like "The Housefire," "A TornadoWarning" and "Sunday Morning Paper."

11. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit: The Nashville Sound
Isbell, his wife Amanda Shires, and the 400 unit deliver a balance of reflective ballads and ruckus rockers on The Nashville Sound.  Highlights include "Hope The High Road," the beautiful "If We Were Vampires," and "Last of My Kind."

12. Valerie June: The Order of Time
Valerie June has had an amazing musical journey in recent years, going from playing small clubs to much larger venues.  June is about as earnest and honest a songwriter as they come, and also one of the more hopeful beacons.  A singer with an amazing vocal range, June tackles everything from blues to gospel to Americana on The Order of Time which features tracks like the goose bump inducing "Astral Plane," and the "get down and boogie" track, "Shakedown."

13. Chicano Batman: Freedom is Free
Innovating retro sounds of funk and soul with a new modern twist, Los Angeles's Chicano Batman delivered a unique commentary on the times with this year's Freedom is Free.  Powered by slinky tracks like "Friendship (Is A Small Port in The Storm)," "Angel Child," and the title track, "Freedom is Free," Chicano Batman knows how to deliver some quality soulful funk.